Fang Jianxing had just reached the door when he suddenly thought of something and turned around:
"Oh right, Xiaomeng, let's exchange contact information. I'm looking for a dojo to train at. Do you have any recommendations?"
Meng Chuan took out his phone and saved Fang Jianxing's contact information:
"No problem, Brother Fang. The Infinite Martial Arts Dojo where I'm training is quite good. The teaching there is excellent. If you want to learn fist skills or just train your body, you can't go wrong with it."
Of course, Meng Chuan wanted to advertise for his master's dojo.
"Infinite Martial Arts Dojo... good, I've noted it down. Ah, I'm usually so busy with work that I don't have time to exercise. I recently went for a medical check-up and found out that all my metrics were not up to standard. That's why I'm trying to fix things now."
Meng Chuan encouraged him:
"Brother Fang, you're still young. It's time to strengthen your exercise routine. It's never too late if you want to work out."
Fang Jianxing replied with a smile:
"You're right, Teacher Meng, I'll listen to you."
"If you ever face any psychological pressure in life or martial arts, feel free to come to me for some relief. I got my Ph.D. in psychology from Presston University abroad and am also a certified psychological counselor here. You teach me martial arts, and I help you relieve pressure—what do you think?"
Meng Chuan didn't expect that Director Fang was a jack-of-all-trades, knowing psychology while doing research.
"No problem, Brother Fang. If you have any doubts in martial arts, just come to me."
"Alright then, it's settled. Goodbye."
Meng Chuan saw him off to the downstairs, waved goodbye after watching Director Fang get in his car, and then turned around to go back upstairs.
In the corridor, as Meng Chuan was walking, he felt something was off, but no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't figure it out.
Only when he reached his door did Meng Chuan realize:
"This Director Fang seemed overly enthusiastic. Even though it was our first meeting, he was as cordial as if we were old friends."
"Maybe he's just naturally friendly, don't overthink it."
Meng Chuan discarded his unrealistic speculations.
His uncle Meng Yongzhi came in from outside:
"Let's go, Chuan'er, once we collect the prize money from Chief Long's office, we can head back."
Meng Chuan asked quizzically:
"Leave right after collecting it? Aren't we supposed to cooperate for some publicity?"
Meng Yongzhi patiently explained:
"Considering that you're still a minor and it's not suitable for you to be interviewed, and knowing you don't like this kind of thing, your uncle had a word with them and they agreed."
Meng Chuan, not expecting his uncle to be so thoughtful, felt a warmth in his heart.
Inside the Chief's office.
Long Jiu transferred 300,000 directly to Meng Chuan's citizen ID card.
The ID card is a proof of identity issued to every Great Chu citizen at birth along with a birth certificate.
Every citizen can have only one ID card to prove their Great Chu citizenship, which can be reissued any time if lost or canceled.
The citizen ID card also functions like a bank card from Meng Chuan's previous life, allowing for savings, transfers, and payments, and it's very simple to use with just a tap.
"A special prize of 200,000 and my personal gratitude of 100,000, totaling 300,000, Xiaomeng, please check it."
With a "ding", Meng Chuan picked up his phone and found that the transfer had already been received.
[Received a special demon-slaying prize from the Qindu Branch: 200,000]
[Received a transfer from citizen Long Jiu: 100,000]
Meng Chuan prepared to transfer the 100,000 from Chief Long back.
"Chief Long, I can't accept this 100,000. Without your notice to Master Luo to save me, I certainly wouldn't have been able to hold out."
Long Jiu waved his hand:
"Just take it. I don't lack this 100,000."
After going back and forth several times, seeing Long Jiu's slightly impatient attitude, Meng Chuan gave up.
On the way back, Meng Chuan thought about how he temporarily didn't have anywhere to spend the money, so he considered transferring the 300,000 to his uncle to help with household expenses.
"Keep it for yourself, use it sparingly, and don't waste it. Hall Master Luo has been so kind to you, especially since he saved you, you should show him more respect."
Meng Chuan knew his uncle's temper, as determined as he was, so he didn't bring up the matter again. Since the money wasn't urgently needed, he just kept it for now.
...
December 30th, the New Year was approaching.
Although today was a Saturday rest day with no school, Meng Chuan still got up before dawn. Getting up early to practice martial arts had become a natural habit for him.
Today he found a new ideal place to practice fists, which was the rooftop.
While sweating under the rising sun, he stood on the rooftop overlooking the distant land. For some reason, Meng Chuan felt that practicing on the rooftop gave him more sensation than doing it at home.
The proficiency on the Martial Arts Limit Breaking panel continued to increase, providing timely feedback that proved his ideas correct.
On the rooftop terrace, Meng Chuan bent his body in a manner akin to an old martial arts master, swaying unpredictably, silently pondering the key points Master Luo taught.
Upon finding the right moment, he immediately stepped with his left foot, raising his right hand to the level of his eyebrows, while his left fist followed, rising to his chest beneath his right elbow, known as the Elbow-Under-Inward Punch;
Then, he exerted force by twisting his waist, stepping forward with his left foot, his right arm rotating back in a hook. He tightened his fist and twisted it outward, pulling it back above his right ear, palm facing forward, wrist folded, body sinking to generate power, and thrust his left fist straight out.
As he struck out his final punch toward the morning sun, six explosive sounds echoed in the air, with a terrifying aura emanating from him, different from usual.
Cannon Fist emphasizes killing, focusing on relaxation in the cannon structure, explosive power, and a strong aura, making it the top third-tier fist skill of the Xingyi Sect.
It's not surprising that Meng Chuan had such an aura. With today's burst of inspiration, along with the support of testimonial mastery, his Cannon Fist had reached great success, achieving the six successive booms.
[Cannon Fist: Mastered (88%) → Great Success (1%) Awaiting Limit Breaking]
[Limit Breaking Trait: Heavy Hit (Basic)]
"Cannon Fist has achieved great success!"
Previously, Master Luo mentioned that even with average or above-average talents, practicing third-tier fist skills at the Qi Blood Lower Three Pass requires at least several months to nearly a year to progress from entry-level to great success.
Only those with comprehension traits or the exceptional among those with superior talents can advance at a speed similar to Meng Chuan's.
When one's martial arts strength is sufficiently strong, and they have practiced various cultivation techniques, the speed of martial arts progress greatly exceeds that of those with high Qi Blood Lower Three Pass aptitude due to experience and physical strength.
Because the path of martial arts is one of unifying the martial artist's Qi Blood, mind, and skills.
For instance, when a Martial Arts Family's Qi Blood and mind are strong enough, cultivating ordinary martial arts skills becomes second nature.
However, at this level, practicing these martial arts is essentially wasting time, as the power is far inferior to True Skill and doesn't stimulate Qi Blood, similar to Meng Chuan's previous practice of Nationalistic Fist.